iPad Pro Keyboard "This accessory is not supported by this device"

Could the battery level or whether it is plugged in have anything to do with this?

I have been having this issue on and off for a month or more. At first the keyboard was still working, so I didn’t understand what the “device not supported” message was even for; I thought maybe it was related to one of the crappy OS upgrades or else had to do with my Apple Pencil, which still works properly so far.

The first however many times the keyboard stopped working while connected, I didn’t get ANY error messages. I just reseated the keyboard after clearing any potential dust from the contacts on both kbd and ipad. Slowly the problem has built to where the keyboard isn’t working at all when I go to use it and the message comes up often.

Today, it stopped working completely for the first time and nothing I tried made a difference. Cleaning everything, reseating it carefully a bunch of different ways, coming here and doing research, trying the magnet-over-1-and-2-keys methods and more recommended above (thank you everyone for sharing), rebooting the ipad twice, nothing. Once or twice I could see it WAS briefly working when I connected it, then the error popped up and it stopped working.

I noticed my battery (which has seemed poor since receiving a replacement ipad under warranty with the promise it had a new battery) was low, around 25%, so I plugged it in during a reboot. Now the keyboard is working again! So far, everying works properly.

Except, of course, for this Apple support site. :-/ I am using the keyboard now, IN Safari, and it is doing weird crap like the arrow keys don’t move me through this text I am typing but instead jump me to other replies people have made. <SIGH>.

Anyhow, I thought I would mention that plugging it in seemed to fix the problem, this time, for me. Or else it is a random fluke with everything else I tried and has nothing to do with anything. :-D Either way, I have not been very happy overall with this allegedly Smart but not bluetooth official expensive weird keyboard and I am bummed Apple can’t afford to stand behind their products better when they have more than a quarter trillion dollars in the bank.

I found a solution to this problem! After failing to contact and get support from apple, I did some experiment. I guess that the problem is connection issue as conductive material in smart keyboard cover somehow lose it's property. So I dipped the part of smart keyboard ( actually half of the keyboard that is not keyboard part) in the water to facilitate conduction. It is highly suggested to avoid dipping all keyboard because there is sensitive circuit in keyboard part! Good luck!!

I was thinking this was a problem with harware too more than a software issue, but actually never thought it could be related to the magnets (not sure if this is also my case and mostly everybody else‘s case too). Can you please tell me if this worked for you in the long term? Would appreciate your reply, thanks!

Hi, for what it is worth, I had been having intermittent connection problems with the Smart Keyboard for the last couple of months, and today it stopped working completely after about 11 months of use. I took it to the shop where I bought it (not Apple) and they replaced it, so I was grateful for that, but still concerned I am going to have the same issue in another 10-12 months.

Same issue. I just came back from the Apple store they gave a new keyboard even is mine was out of warranty. Apple extended the warranty for 3 years because of the recognized issue.

So go to Apple store and get a new one!

Hello All-

i tried ipodge’s suggestion with a small but powerful Neodydium magnet. I rubbed 10x over the 1 and 2 keys on the keyboard when it wasn’t attached and 10x up and down the attachment strip. It has been 2 days and I have had no “accessory not supported” error. I got this error many times an hour before the magnet solution.

I took the iPad and the failing Smart Keyboard to the Apple store where I purchased them late October 2016. I had made an appointment at the Genius Bar. The tech told me there was a 'quality alert' on this product, verified that I was having the problem and promptly issued me a replacement for the Smart Keyboard at no charge. Problem solved.

I am having the same problem but now, this is causing my battery to drain. Not sure if it is because the keyboard is continually looking for the smart connection causing the display to stay on? My iPad was fully charged yesterday morning and when I returned 8 hours later, it was down to 9% and I know it was not touched by anyone during this time.

Seeing question (and issues continuing now into 2018) at least makes me feel better that I’m not alone.

Not happy ... but a little less lonely and stupid.😁

FWIW ... to resolve I end up doing a soft reset (home button plus power button) but it a pain; especially since I have keyboard attached as screen protector and continually get error message.

👿

Great suggestions. I did the magnet thing and it didn't work for me. Next I tried wiping down and using a fingernail to scrape off any 'gunk' off the magnetic gutter area. Once it was clean I tried again and it worked!

I started having the same issue about six months ago. I purchased the keyboard along with the iPad Pro through Verizon two years ago. The first issue was it not working in the middle of typing and having to pull it off the iPad and reconnecting it. Then started receiving the “not supported accessory” code. It took it occurring a few times before I realized the code was referring to the keyboard. I was like, whaaat? It‘s an apple product how can in suddenly not be supported. Then the iPad kept vacilating between the onboard qwerty keyboard and the Smart Keyboard attached, back and forth repeatedly. It became so annoying. I tried cleaning the contacts but still kept getting the error code. Just cleaned the trough the iPad sits in which is also magnetized and used the little magnet cover of my electronic pen. The part that covers the charging port to re-activate (?) the magnet in the trough and it seems to be working so far. This was a suggestion from another poster above. I thank you for that advice as it does seem to have, at least for now, solved the problem.

I was starting to consider buying another electronic keyboard like the Zagg I have on my other Series 2 iPad which I use for games, watching netflex and audio books. It still works great, has back lighting, keeps a charge forever, has been virtually trouble free and is much more stable than this Smart Keyboard which is too flimsy, falls off far to frequently and bounces around alot when I’m typing.

Considering the **** thing cost me $149.99 I expected better. It’s showing significant wear and is virtually impossible to use at night since it isn’t back lit. I’ll continue to use it until it dies but I would not recommend it to anyone. There are now more affordable options available out there.

I had this issue. I just talked to Apple Support. They advised Reset Network Settings (this does remove wifi, bluetooth, etc: Have to set it up again), under General->Reset

This has fixed my issue so far. May help some of the people with this issue (expect others are connected to hardware).

Use the magnet, as iPodge suggests. It works!!

I don’t think I even have a fancy, rare-earth magnet. I just grabbed one off of the fridge. You can feel each magnet “grab” the magnet as you gently slide it across the gutter. That action is more pronounced with the rib that sets in the gutter. It does seem like the magnets above the “1” and “2” keys are the ‘switch’ that tells the iPad is connected. I left the magnet there for about 30 minutes.

iPodge. This really helped me. I cleaned my connectors and connections surfaces to no avail. Finally I just rubbed the connection surfaces with my finger and felt some grit still there (possibly magnetised) near the 1-2 keys.

Board now works.

If your Smart Keyboard is less than 3 years old you may be eligible for a replacement. Normally the warranty is 1 yr but for certain Keyboard issues it is a special extension up to 3 years. My Apple authorized dealer told me this and I received a new replacement. FYI